The Boston Purple Sox had visions of the playoffs once they began a key late-season street journey final week.
However by the point the six-game journey concluded Wednesday night time at Citi Area, Boston’s postseason hopes hung by a thread.
The Purple Sox went 1-5 over that stretch and capped it off by getting swept by the Mets. New York accomplished the sweep with an 8-3 win and Purple Sox supervisor Alex Cora did not mince phrases when he offered his evaluation of a deflating street journey.
“It sucked, man. It was powerful,” Cora advised reporters. “We went to Detroit two-and-a-half video games again or three-and-a-half video games again and now we’re five-and-a-half. Proper now we’re simply a mean crew. We received to indicate up on Friday and attempt to be higher. It is an enormous homestand.”
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The fact of the scenario the Purple Sox presently are in is not misplaced on Cora. He is aware of time is operating out on the season.
If the Purple Sox intend on making the playoffs, they should flip issues round in a rush. Boston sits 5 1/2 video games behind the Kansas Metropolis Royals for the third and last American League wild card spot with solely 22 video games left.
The Purple Sox did not make the most of the alternatives despatched their manner, both on the sector or within the standings. Boston’s offense hit into three consecutive inning-ending double performs in opposition to the Mets on Wednesday and whereas their shedding streak received prolonged to 5 video games — the Purple Sox scored eight runs over that span — the Royals snapped a seven-game skid.
It is clearly attainable for the Purple Sox to get again into rivalry, nevertheless it’s a troublesome process, one made harder with the way in which Boston has performed as of late.
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“We’re a .500 crew. We’re enjoying .500 baseball. I do not suppose that is adequate,” Cora mentioned. “We received to be higher.”
extra purple sox
Listed here are extra notes from Wednesday’s Purple Sox-Mets sport:
— Tanner Houck served up a first-inning grand slam to Jesse Winker however settled down properly after that. The All-Star beginning pitcher accomplished 5 innings, giving up 4 runs on 5 hits with one stroll and 7 strikeouts.
“Felt like I received again into the zone, going proper after hitters with my greatest stuff,” Houck advised reporters. “First inning sort of received away from me by way of the stroll in there, falling behind hitters.”
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— Rafael Devers did drive in a run with a sacrifice fly within the high of the third inning within the loss to the Mets, however he continued to be ice chilly on the plate. The Purple Sox slugger went 0-for-3 and is now batting .098 (4-for-41) since Aug. 21.
— The Purple Sox ended the sport in unflattering vogue, with Kenley Jansen, who labored in a non-save scenario, and Wealthy Hill combining to stroll in three runs within the backside of the eighth. In keeping with The Boston Globe’s Alex Speier, it was the primary time the Purple Sox issued no less than three walks with the bases loaded since Sept. 6, 2010.
— The Purple Sox can have Thursday off earlier than opening up a three-game collection again residence beginning Friday in opposition to the abysmal Chicago White Sox, who sports activities a 32-109 document. First pitch from Fenway Park is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. ET, and you may watch the sport, plus 90 minutes of pregame protection, on NESN.
